AMBASSADORS IN BLUE

[Music] he [Music] in today's modern American Air Force there's a new generation quick in its response to the duties of this nation's [Music] defense and just as quick in its response to a call for help in performing missions of Mercy quiet average Americans no different from you or me competently doing these jobs that have to be done in the cause of Freedom confident in their ability to use these aircraft as expressions of American policy today's Airmen are superbly trained mature Professionals in addition to protecting America's interests in the world's most remote parts each member of the United States Air Force functions as a representative of this nation a sort of diplomatic Minister without portfolio and within the Air Force's Tactical Air Command there exists a squadron of serious-minded and business-like volunteers called the Thunderbirds they are America's ambassadors in blue a [Music] today's Aviation Pathfinders the United States Air Force Thunderbirds what's it like being a member of this highly trained Elite Squadron here at Nellis Air Force Base home of the Thunderbirds we'll find out about this feeling of Pride from Lieutenant Colonel Tom swam Thunderbird leader and squadron commander we can help you all right sir fine thank you good to see you let me tell you a little bit about the thunder burs the mission of the US Air demonstration Squadron is a multiple one perhaps most obvious is that of for train some of the capabilities of air power our aerial maneuvers are not a series of stunts or tricks designed merely to Thrill an audience they are Maneuvers geared to demonstrate the capabilities of modern tactical fighter aircraft Precision formation flying exploiting the aircraft's maximum performance however in addition to the Flying aspects of the Thunderbird Mission there are other areas of equal importance by performing both at military and public occasions we are striving to stimulate favorable International attitudes and actions towards realizing the objectives of the United States of America the importance of motivation and what part it plays in the Thunderbird Mission also must not be overlooked the Thunderbird style of precision flying is a team effort its purpose is to further Air Force Recruiting programs by motivating the Youth of America additionally we attempt to further Aerospace education of young and old alike by conducting an active Public Information Program we participate and explore every opportunity for direct contact with the public and all available information media in accomplishing this Mission the Thunderbirds represent the skill and the dedication of nearly 1 million Air Force men and women stationed around the globe but the best way to show you our business is in the air we'll be having a briefing in a few minutes you're welcome to attend after that we'll meet at the aircraft and we'll take a ride see you [Music] then 10:00 take off Sir Michael you got a picture yes sir time yeah in 10 seconds it'll be 51 o 5 4 3 2 one okay 10:00 take off let's start engines at uh 9:40 every man in this Squadron is a serious intent professional ER in the 18-year history of the team the Thunderbirds have performed in more than 40 Nations before more than 85 million Spectators and now we'll have an opportunity to ride in the back seat and experience for ourselves the delicate skills required of an Air Force Thunderbird we've got if we have any questions on emergency does anybody have anything else okay we're ready let's go okay that look good Yellow Pages F okay you all set climb up in the back seat my crew chief here will help strap you [Music] in how those straps feel those good and tight well that's the way they're supposed to be [Applause] let's run them [Music] up taxi turn left give a one plus show lights out tail lights out Hue Lights Out checks complete are yall set back there here we go [Music] nose coming up right on up keep her coming that's it Tom bring her in tight looks good how do you feel okay we're a little closer than usual looks real good back one back one more solo should be rolling pretty soon there he comes [Music] [Applause] [Music] Slow Roll to the left now ra fine little floting little pull let's keep this nice roll going right on a [Music] rout how do you feel okay floating here right on a ro sliding left a bit let's put a nice bottom on it right on down still with [Applause] us solo out let's make this a good one keep it together looks good right on a rout back around for the arrowhead roll smoke on ready now nose coming up rolling left ready now right around keep it rolling Real Fine [Music] [Applause] beautiful try and keep your eye on number five going back you'll be doing the 8 point [Music] roll floating here coming around going to Bull some [Music] G's okay modeling out now let keep her going Thunderbirds let's go rollback ready now [Music] [Applause] [Music] Keep It Coming let's make it straight real nice lineup looks good starting to keep it [Music] up bottom hang out hold it [Music] [Applause] [Music] okay Smokes on nose coming up straight up keep them tight stand by the break ready now come on up by we're waiting for you coming out [Music] [Applause] [Music] stand by for left pitch up ready out [Music] it was a good show let's come up a bit more and W you park enjoy the flight good I'll be back in a moment there's a youngster over here I want to see thank you Gary ambassadors in blue typifying American friendship and the quiet strength of confidence found in today's United States Air Force an assignment with the Thunderbirds is just one of the exciting and challenging opportunities open in today's Air Force in today's modern Air Force there is no compromise with perfection that Perfection is brought to its fullest realization by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds [Music]